Government's 'overlap of public funds' is a myth says charity report

Wednesday 12 January 2011

The government's argument that the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) mobility component is an ‘overlap of public funds' is wrong, according to a report ‘Don't limit mobility', submitted to MPs today from a group of 27 organisations representing people with a disability[i].

The Comprehensive Spending Review announced the government's proposal to remove the mobility component of DLA for people who live in residential care. This will impact an estimated 80,000 people. Today's report has gathered evidence from both service providers and residents of care homes who will be affected by the change[ii].

Despite the government's argument that the removal of the DLA mobility component will ‘remove an overlap of public funds', none of the national service providers that were surveyed for the report currently receive a contribution from local authorities towards the cost of personal mobility costs. The mobility component of DLA provides support to people who need help getting around and helps them to leave their home independently and participate in everyday activities that many people take for granted, such as meeting friends or attending a leisure centre.

A further survey of residential care home users revealed that over 50% gave either the majority or their entire DLA mobility component to their care home[iii]. Of these, 40% said that it paid for a motability car and 21% said the money paid for petrol for staff to take them out. One respondent urged the government to listen to the people that will be most affected by the cut to DLA, saying: "I would ask you to come and see us and see what it is like to live the life we have. Then see how it feels to have your independence taken away and not have any social interaction."

Mark Goldring, Mencap's chief executive, said: "This report shows that the government's reason for cutting this funding is simply wrong. Care homes and local authorities don't cover these costs, and with budgets being squeezed, how can they be expected to in the future? We strongly urge the government to reconsider the proposal to remove the mobility component of DLA. This money helps people living in residential care get the personal support they need to get out and take part in activities they enjoy and live a fulfilled life. Removing this benefit will take us back to the dark ages, essentially stripping people of control over their lives and leaving them stuck in residential care homes."

[ii] A survey was taken of national service providers who are members of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), the leading umbrella group of voluntary sector providers of social care services for adults with disabilities. VODG members that contributed towards the survey were: